Eight companies received awards Tuesday evening at the "Investor of the Year 2012" ceremony.

The Bulgarian Investment Agency, BAI, was the organizer of the seventh issue of the contest for most significant investments in Bulgarian economy.

President, Rosen Plevneliev, stated during the ceremony that these were companies which in 2102 made strong steps forward in their advancement and have contributed to the development of the country's economy.

The awarded investors were divided in several categories:

In Machine Manufacturing, the award was given to Litex Motors Corporation for investing in the country BGN 43 M and providing 250 job openings for experts. The company plans to invest another BGN 190 M and open at least 2 000 more jobs.

In the Electronic and Electric Technology sector, the prize was grabbed by R&M Bulgaria. The Swiss company has invested in its plant for optic components BGN 14 M and has provided 110 jobs, which are to grow to 180 by 2015.

The Sofia MedClinic Hospital received the award Investor of the Year for investing BGN 40 M and providing jobs to 380 people.

APC Bulgaria, which manufactures automobile parts, was the prize winner in its sector for investing BGN 8 M in the production of leather seats for BMW and providing 500 jobs.

The IT company, Ingram Micro, among the 100 leading in the world, also received an award for providing jobs for 100 people in Bulgaria.

The manufacturer of photo and medical optics, Pentax Medical Bulgaria, is another price winner. The company has built a high-technology center and has invested BGN 4 M.

The pastry and candy maker Prestige 96 was awarded for its BGN 28 M investment in a new production shop and BGN 2 M in equipment. The Veliko Tarnovo company has also hired 100 new workers.

The pharmaceutical industry company Biovet was recognized for the BGN 6 M investment and the 220 new job openings.

At the ceremony, the President noted 5 main factors that should determine the correct plan for Bulgarian economy – coherence (continuing development of infrastructure), integration (support for an European bank, economic, and political union), stability (low foreign debt and budget deficit), employment (reforms in small and medium businesses and better training) and effectiveness (electronic government).

Plevneliev stressed investment environment in Bulgaria could improve with a new Investment Act with new incentives.

It also emerged from his words at the ceremony that investments in the country are increasing – EUR 1 B in 2010, EUR 1.7 B in 2011, and by October 2012 investments were with EUR 250 M higher, compared to the entire 2011.

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